Paint Valley boys basketball coach Dave Shoemaker talks to point guard Caden Grubb during a game at Piketon High School on Jan. 22, 2018. Shoemaker's supplemental coaching contract was non-renewed by the school district Tuesday night.(Photo: Derrick Webb/Gazette)Buy Photo

BAINBRIDGE - Longtime Paint Valley boys basketball coach Dave Shoemaker saw his time with the Bearcats end late Tuesday evening as the district's Board of Education passed a 3-2 vote against renewing his supplemental contract.

After learning of the district's vote, Shoemaker released a statement on his Facebook page: "I’ll fill everyone in on the details later, but I was non-renewed tonight by a vote of 3-2. I was recommended to be rehired by the (Athletic Director) and Principal. I was given no reason, nobody requested a meeting to discuss anything, and I had no idea there was a problem until some coward wrote an anonymous letter to the school board filled with lies and trivial half-truths at the end of last week. Like I said, I’ll give more facts later, just wanted everyone to know the basics of what happened. Stay tuned."

In his two coaching stints, from 1989-1996 and 2012-2018, Shoemaker compiled an overall record of 153-143 — the most wins by a coach in program history. Under him, Paint Valley won seven sectional titles.

He coached seven all-Ohio players, 45 all-SVC players and led the Bearcats to 19 tournament wins. In school history, the Bearcats have played nine games at Ohio University's Convocation Center, eight of which came with Shoemaker at the helm.

The Gazette called Paint Valley Superintendent Tim Winland for comment but didn't receive an answer.

When reached for comment, Shoemaker was still in disbelief.

"I'm sort of in shock. There was never a meeting, never a discussion, never a chain of command. Nobody ever came to me personally," he said. "I'll be fine. I'm a big boy. But I worry about my players and my program and where it's going to end up."

Multiple former basketball players spoke out in support of Shoemaker, including 2015 graduates Clay Archer and Mason McCloy.

"As a man, Coach Shoe was there for me in a time of heartbreak when not many people were. He was like a father to me," Archer said. "As a player, he made me understand the game and how to control my passion in the right direction. All in all, he’s one of the most important people in my life."

"I know I can be stubborn and irritating at times. Despite everything, he relentlessly worked with me to help me reach my goal as a player and as a man," McCloy said. "Coach, you are a big part of who I am today. I will forever thank you."

"I want to thank Coach Shoemaker for his dedication and commitment to the program," Hollon said via text. "I approached Dave six years ago to revive our program, which was in a major struggle mode at the time, and we have been very consistent and successful since. He is the ultimate basketball junkie."

Reach Derrick Webb at drwebb@chillicothegazette.com or at 740-349-1102. Follow him on Twitter at @dw1509 or on Instagram at @chilligazsports.